Gate



March 15, 1932.

o O 4 7n 0 INVENTOR 0 6 /i 772 mas 9y 8 T 5 BY 90m? 0 7 ATTORNEY March 15, I932.v G. H. THOMAS 1,849,699

- GATE Filed Aug. 9, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VZN TOR ATTORNEY March-15', 1932. TH AS 1,849,699

GATE

Filed Aug. 9, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR BY Geo/"ye /1. 7720/7745 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 15, 1932 PATENT OFFICE GEORGE H. THOMAS, OF WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON GATE Application filed August 9, 1930. Serial No. 474,094.

This invention relates to gates and has as one of its objects to provide a gate adapted for many purposes, such as farm use or the like, and to provide means whereby the closure may be opened by the weight of the object intended to pass therethrough.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a gate that is adapted to close by gravlty.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gate that will present a full open ng and that will remain opened until the ob ect has passed completely through.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a gate that may be actuated by the weight of a person assisted by his muscular effort.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide a gate that is simple to construct and erect, and that is comparatively cheap to manufacture.

A further object of this invention is to provide a gate that has comparatively few wearing parts and that is supported by pulleys instead of hinges, thus reducing friction.

WVith these and other objects in view reference is now had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the gate, shown in the closed position.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the lower operat ing means, enlarged.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a fragment of the gate showin the operating mechanism of one side thereof, shown in the opened position.

Fig. 4; is a side elevation of the gate in the opened position.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the carrying pulleys. V

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation thereof.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of the upper operating means, enlarged; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fragment of the threshhold, and ,a latching means adapted for use to maintain the gate in the opened position.

Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and numeral 1 refers to the gate as a whole which consists primarily of a supporting structure 2, a closure 3, and an operating means 4.

The supporting structure 2 consists of a frame, preferably of pipe joined together by suitable fittings, and in my preferred form of construction the frame consists of a pair of parallelly positioned uprights 6 secured rigidly to a foundation 7, by flanges 8 (or otherwise), as shown in Fig. 4:, to form one gate post 9 of the device, and a second and similar pair of upright posts disposed opposite to the first mentioned pair and positioned to define the total width of opening ample for the passage of a vehicle provides the second gate post.

These pairs of uprights 6 are rigidly secured in spaced relation to each other by means of their foundation, and a cross tie 10 attached to the lower end of each of said pairs, the latter for a purpose, other than that above mentioned, and the opposite posts 9 are maintained in spaced relation at the bottom by means of the foundation and at the top by means of a pair of cross members 11 connecting each member 6 of the said posts.

By this means there is provided a frame 5, including the gate posts 9, of a double structure, more particularly adapted to provide rigidity to the structure and to be adapted to guide other parts thereof during operation, and to support securely the operating mechanism 4 as will be hereinafter explained. There is also provided a rectangular frame that is neat in appearance and substantial in construction, with the elevated horizontally positioned cross member 11 at the top of the gate providing to support a name plate, not shown, or other informative matter if desired.

Mounted within the confines of' the gate posts 9, for support by the said frame, is the closure 3 which obviously may be constructed in any desired manner, the closure shown however being of the usual type of gate consisting of a frame 12 of piping to which is attached a screen 13 of relatively large mesh.

Attached to each end of the closure 3 are projecting pieces forming guide fingers 14 that may be formed integral with the frame of the closure, or which may be rigidly secured thereto, and these guide fingers may consist of a single extended unit, as shown, or obviously two or more of these members may be attached to each end to be utilized for the purpose of guiding the gate at its top and bottom in its ascent or descent, these members guiding and maintaining the closure against displacement during operation, and permitting a free vertical movement of the closure within the frame, obviously these guides may be equipped with friction rollers (not shown) if desired.

To permit the free movement of the closure in a vertical plane, and with a guide finger 14 added to the bottom of the closure structure, the cross tie 10 must not obstruct the movement of the finger therein, and hence it is fastened to the outside of each of said pipes forming the double post to provide a space therebetween, and this cross tie is extended outward to provide a pivotal connection (for a purpose to be explained) and by this extension provides said space for the free vertical movement of these fingers.

For the purpose of supporting the closure pulleys 16 and cable 17 are provided and these pulleys 16 are pivotally mounted between the pairs of frame members 6 and form spaces therefore, and preferably the pulleys are located at the upper corners 18 thereof, while the cable 17 is secured to one of the upright members, as at 19, and then trained over the said pulleys 16 from whence they are brought downward for securement to the upper part and the respective ends of the frame 12 of said closure 3.

This cross tie 10 fo'ms part of the operating mechanism l of the device and is shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, and other parts of the operating mechanism will consist of operating levers 20 normally positioned in parallel relation with and adjacent to the vertical posts 9 of the frame 5.

The levers consists of bell cranks each having its fulcrum point pivotally connected with the pivotal connection 15 at the said bottom cross tie, for movement preferably in the plane of the closure 3, and each bell crank consists of structural details preferably con sisting of an elbow 21, forming the fulcrum point, with a pipe lifting arm connected with the elbow and normally extended upward (when the gate is in the closed position) and this lifting arm is provided at its upper end 23 with a pulley block 24 through which the said cable 17 is rove for positioning somewhere between the point of securement 19 of the end of the cable to the upright and where the cable first engages the said lifting pulleys 16.

The bell crank is further provided on its lower end with a pipe operating arm 25 secured in the said elbow 21 forming the pivotal point, in a like manner to that of the lifting arm 22, and normally this arm extends in a horizontal position, and to its outer end is secured a cable, or rod, brace 26 which, being connected to the top of the lifting arm provides a substantial and light-weight brace that is highly efiicient for the purpose intended.

Parallelly positioned with respect to the foundation 7, and also to the bottom rail 27 of the closure frame 12, is a movable threshold 28, consisting preferably of an I beam whose transverse dimension approximates the space provided between the pipes forming the uprights 6 of the frame, plus the necessary extensions, to be explained, with a depth of web to provide sufiicient strength to support the weight of an automobile, or the like vehicle, that will provide the necessary weight to actuate the mechanism, and the ends 29 of this beam are extended to pass between the said posts, for guidance thereby and blocks 30 are secured thereto whereby to maintain. the I beam in proper register and proper position transversely in the posts to function in the manner outlined.

For the purpose of operating the gate a connecting link 31 adjustably connects each end 29 of the threshold 28 with the respective operating arms 25, and the links are preferably positioned at a slight inclination, as shown plainly in Figs. 1 and 2, that the movement of the said operating arm will be regular with respect to the movement of the said threshold during the operation of the device.

For the purpose of operation means to direct a weight to said threshold is provided which consists of runways 32 approaching the threshold from both sides of the gate 1, whereby, a vehicle may ascend the runways when its weight, as it approaches the closure 3 will set the operating mechanism 4- in motion to open the gate.

While the structure described is my preferred form it must be understood that I do not limit myself to this particular structure only in so far as I am limited by my claims, for instance, a single upright and cross member may be utilized to provide the frame in which case modifications will obviously be r quired in the guide fingers of the closure, with the cross ties 10 also modified, together with the position of the pulleys and cable which necessarily will be on the one side or the other of the said posts, rather than between two uprights.

An further, the means for directing the weight to the threshold may obviously consist of a platform, approaching both sides of the closure, if desired, as when horse drawn vehicles will use the gate, as obviously an animal would have difiiculty following up the approach shown.

In operation the vehicle will approach the closure by advancing up the approach and in so doing its weight will be partly and momentarily sustained by the threshold, counter balanced more or less by the closure itself.

\Vith the weight thus positioned in relative close proximity to the closure the threshold will move downward pulling on the said links 31, these in turn pulling on the operating arms 25 and moving the lifting arms 22 outward at their upper ends, when the pulley 2% attached thereto will take up the necessary amount of cable 17 by drawing it outward over the said lifting pulley 16 to raise the gate to the opened position, while the opposite operation will take place as the vehicle leaves the approaches when gravity will automatically restore the closure and the operating mechanism for a second cycle of operation.

By the addition of extra holes 33 placed in the end of the threshold and in the connecting links and by the sliding adjustment of a collar 34 by which the said links are connected to the. operating arm any adjust ment desired may be made to compensate for different weights of closures and different weights of the approaches.

The said brace rod 26 or cable is preferably attached to the ends of the respective arms of the bell crank by placing a cap 35 on the respective ends in which has been bored a hole adapted to receive a bolt 36 whereby the cable (as well as the pulley 24 which is thus suitably attached to the said upper end, as shown in Fig. 7) may be rigidly secured in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 2.

here it is desired to pass through the gate without the weight of a vehicle being available, an individual may by transferring his weight to the threshold, and simultaneously lifting on the closure, may open the structure completely, and should it be desired to maintain the gate in the opened position, as while driving animals therethrough, a latch 37 may be provided, secured to the foundation 7 of the structure and shaped to hook over the threshold 28, or to its flange, as shown in Fig. 8, whereby to prevent the upward movement of the said threshold, and in consequence thereof maintain the gate in the opened position. Obviously by releasing the latch the gate will immediately assume its closed position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a gate, a supporting frame, comprising vertically positioned posts rigidly secured in spaced relation to each other, a closure supported by and secured against displacement between said posts, for vertical movement therein, operating levers supported b' said posts, comprising a bell crank pivota ly attached to and supported by each post, each bell crank consisting ofa lifting arm extended vertically and normally positioned paralelel with said posts, and providedwith a p ll ley adapted tocarry acable secured'to said posts and trainedover a supporting pulley for securement tosaid gate, an operating arm forming the other part'of said bell crank, and adapted to connect with a movable weight actuated threshold, attached to said levers to operate said closure, and connecting links 01)- erably connecting said operating levers and said threshold, and means to direct a weight to said threshold.

2. In a gate, a supporting frame, comprising vertically positioned and oppositely disposed pairs of uprights providing gate posts, each pair of uprights being rigidly secured in spaced relation to each other, cross members connecting said posts attheir tops, a closure supported by said posts and provided with guide members secured to said closure for sliding register with both of said posts, a supporting means for said closure comprising pulleys pivotally mounted between the pairs of frame members, and at the corners thereof, a cable secured to said frame and trained over said pulley for securement to said closure, operating levers supported by said posts and comprising a bell crank pivotally attached to each of said posts, each bell crank consisting of a lifting arm, extended and normally positioned parallel with said posts, and provided with a pulley secured to said lifting arm for engagement with said cable between the point of securement thereof to said frame and the said pulley, a movable weight actuated threshold supported by and linked to said levers to operate said closure, a connecting link operably connecting each of said operating levers and said threshold, and means to direct a weight to said threshold.

3. In a gate, a supporting frame comprising vertically positioned and oppositely disposed pairs of posts, rigidly secured in spaced relation to each other, and provided with a pair of cross members connecting each of the oppositely positioned members of the posts, and means to maintain the spaced relation of each post of the pair, a closure supported by said frame and provided with guide members secured to said closure for sliding register with said posts, a supporting means for said closure comprising pulleys pivotally mounted between the pairs of frame members, and at the corner thereof, and a cable secured to said frame and trained over said pulley for securement to said gate, operating levers supported by said posts and comprising a bell crank pivotally attached to each post, each bell crank consisting of a lifting arm extended and normally positioned parallel with said posts and provided with a pulley secured to said lifting arm for engagement with said cable, between the point of securement thereof to said frame and the said pulley, a movable Weight actuated threshold supported by and linked to said levers to operate said closure, a connecting link operably connecting said operating lever and said threshold, and means to direct a Weight to said threshold.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE H. THOMAS. 

